Very nice hike just a few minutes away from downtown Knoxville. It is a fairly challenging hike up…read morethe side of a ridge overlooking Knoxville and the surrounding area. The trail is well marked and crosses over a small stream and some rock outcroppings. The rocks and elevation make this more challenging than an "easy" hike. This is equivalent to hiking in the Smokies or Cumberland Mountains. But, our 9 and 11 year old were able to make the journey to the top and back. So, this trail should be doable for most people. The views at the top are well worth the journey. It is a very nice trail at the top that allows you to walk along the ridge to view both sides of the valley. Overall: Highly recommended if you are in the area.

It's a quick, easy drive from Knoxville to House Mountain State Park. Once you start hiking the…read moretrail gains elevation rapidly via half a dozen switch backs. When you arrive at the summit, you'll be rewarded with a fairly nice view. It's not breathtaking, but more likely than not it'll be a smile on your face :-) A visit here is a nice way to spend an afternoon in Knoxville if you're interested in getting a little exercise in the great outdoors.

Never been on a hike before, but this was awesome! It has an amazing view of the valley, I highly…read morerecommend this place!

Soco Falls is absolutely worth the stop if you're driving through the area. The waterfall is…read morebeautiful, and the photos honestly don't do it justice. That said... don't let the short hike fool you! The walk down isn't bad--it's the climb back up that will definitely remind you whether you've been keeping up with your cardio. Thankfully, there are handrails and benches along the trail because I absolutely took advantage of them on the way back. I thought I was in decent shape... the mountain quickly humbled me! My advice: wear good hiking shoes, bring water, and if you have a walking stick, use it. A neck fan isn't a bad idea either during the warmer months. Just because you see people tackling the trail in Crocs or flip-flops doesn't mean it's a good idea. If you're adventurous, there is a way to get down to the base of the falls, where people were swimming, but we admired it from the overlook instead. The surrounding mountain views are beautiful as well, making it an easy stop even if you're just passing through. If you're in the Bryson City/Cherokee area, don't skip Soco Falls. Just come prepared, take your time, and enjoy one of the prettiest waterfalls in Western North Carolina.

I was seeking a waterfall and didn't quite have time to make it to Cherokee and the Great Smoky…read moreMountains, and so located this turn-off a couple of miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parking area is by the road, and the hike down to the falls is short, but of considerable grade. At the end, a platform allows viewing. You can't get anywhere near the falls or take a swim, and it seems like it would be a tough area even if there weren't a thousand signs telling you not to wander off the trail, which is shared with a driveway to some private property. It certainly isn't among the best Western NC waterfalls, but it's a nice site and it's free and open to the public, so not a bad place to stop depending on one's itinerary.

This is a widelife sanctuary about 10-15 miles outside of Knoxville. They have probably over 100…read moreacres of land and I believe the French Broad River runs through it. They technically don't encourage having your pets off leash but everybody does. This place will definitely be a picture of what doggy heaven looks like. They also have a narrow paved road that runs between the area, great for walking, running or biking. I will consider bringing my bike out here once it warms up in the spring. The only thing I didn't love about this place was that the roads leading up to it are very very narrow and curvy. I guess that is a norm for living in the mountains but something I'm still not used it. Makes me really nervous. However, I'm sure to make many more visits to let the dogs loose. They definitely had a blast!

Beautiful. Miles of trails. Benches by the river. Wonderful wildlife, particularly deer, beaver and…read morebirds. Lots of quiet and privacy.

Grotto Falls was such a fun family adventure! We hiked it with our three kids, and everyone had a…read moregreat time. The trail was beautiful, the waterfall was awesome, and the kids did surprisingly well on the hike! And we got a bonus Smoky Mountain experience before we even reached the trailhead and we saw a mama bear with her cubs along the drive! Talk about setting the tone for the day! Beautiful scenery, a fun hike, and memories the whole family will be talking about. Definitely one of our favorite adventures in the Smokies!

Grotto Falls is a beautiful hike and definitely worth seeing. Walking behind the waterfall is a…read moreunique experience, and the trail is shaded with gorgeous scenery along the way. The biggest challenge is getting there. There are only about 10 parking spots on a one-way road, with very few pull-off areas along the entire route. We actually drove there twice and couldn't find parking either time. We ended up having one person drop us off and pick us up later at an agreed-upon time since cell phone reception on the trail was very spotty. The hike to the falls is mostly uphill for about 1 mile, and I had to take several breaks. I wouldn't consider it toddler-friendly. The hike back is much easier since it's downhill, but you still need to be careful. The trail is full of roots, rocks, and slippery terrain that blend into the dirt, making it easy to slip, trip, or twist an ankle. One member of our group was injured, so I highly recommend wearing quality hiking boots with good traction and ankle support. Despite the parking challenges and moderately difficult hike, the waterfall is beautiful and worth the effort if you're prepared and arrive early.

Great walk/hike. All paved so accessible to all, short hike but steep so it does get your heart…read morerate up but not too long so those without endurance can make it. Our 4 year old did better than us but we ended up carrying the 2 year old by half way. Views are amazing. I wasn't worried about my kids up there as the railings are solid and high enough they couldn't climb on them or over them. The viewing area was large enough for at least 5 small families, probably more. I loved that it was free. The drive up was steep but worth the drive. There is room near the parking area for picnics in the grass.

This is a fun, minor hike (I believe it is about a half mile. Great views, peaceful, not very…read morecrowded normally.

Was more than I thought. Great experience. Small parking area. A little hard to get out of but…read moreworth it.

I never met a waterfall that I didn't like. We did a driving tour along Little River in Great Smoky…read moreMountains National Park to see if we could spot some wildlife. The Sinks is a lovely waterfall along the river. There is a small parking lot with about a dozen spaces where we found parking. An observation area is a short walk from parking. A sign describes the area and that the falls were manmade. During the late 1800's the river was used to transport logs/timber to the nearby town of Elkmont. After a storm, flood waters caused a jam in the river. Dynamite was used to restore water flow. The blast resulted in a twist in the river and creation of the waterfall. A set of stone steps leads up a hill, offering lovey views of the falls. There are dozens of waterfalls in the Park. Sinks is one of the few that is drivable, which is great for people that cannot hike. I picked up a Waterfalls map at the visitor center that I found interesting and informative. Parking passes are required to park in the lot. There are no amenities at the falls. Plan 15-30 minutes for a stop and photos.

It was a gorgeous waterfall even more beautiful then I expected in person, quite a few stairs but…read morerealistically very short little hike to a gorgeous waterfall I very much recommend this stop it was quick and beautiful

About 140 steps to the top and you can view a beautiful waterfall. This is at most a 20 minute stop…read moreand well worth a visit.

This has been our favourite walk forever. Do not let the couple of bad characters hinder you from…read morethis beautiful hike, because getting to the top is its own reward with sheer beauty. This property was donated to the state park and open to all. Very clean and well-kept trails, dog friendly, and a nice place to rest and relax, including restrooms at the science centre.

I discovered this place through my daughter. She has gone here twice- once through her middle…read moreschool, and once through a local camp. She raved about it, and we finally got a chance to check it out. So happy we did! Purchase Knob was generously donated by the McNeil-Gilmore family to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is 535 acres of land that rises ultimately to 5,086 feet at the knob. In the meadow below the knob, at 4,850 feet, there are two buildings housing offices, a lab, a classroom for fifty students, and housing for up to eight scientists. Views are 180 degrees. You can hit the Cataloochee Divide Trail here, too. A refurbished cabin originally from the 1870s is nearby, which I will get to in a bit. When you get to the park, you will be blocked by a gate with a sign to the left identifying the park. It is open once in a while for scheduled visits/field trip students. It is easy to get your vehicle locked within the park. (People cannot get locked in.) Park your car on the sides of the road. Just walk around the gate if it is locked. Bring water, and a jacket in the spring or fall. The 2.5 mile round trip trail is basically a wide, dirt road that will eventually lead up to the main buildings. It is well maintained. When you get a glimpse of the building at the top, you will also see a grass trail leading upwards. I would take that trail. It is a shortcut. If you like to walk, just keep going, and the road will eventually lead to the building as well. On the way up, you will see many types of wildflowers. We heard (up) and spotted a hawk (down). I got a photo of nightshade, all the while with my body centimeters from a hidden cliff edge. Be careful on grassy edges! The open areas and tree-filled areas were of equal beauty. In early September I saw purples, greens, grays, and yellows, all framed by a clear blue sky graced by fluffy clouds. Your soul will take this in, and it will hold on to it. When we got to the top, we relaxed. We did not go to the knob proper. We used the very clean bathrooms, and laid down in the field right in front of the buildings. There is a water fountain. You are allowed on the deck, but not in the buildings unless you are with a scheduled group. There are picnic tables grouped close together, and bear-proof trashcans and recycling bins. You can check out the outside of the weather station that is a bit away. I would not traipse around the adjacent fields. I saw tagged plants and left that area so that we would not screw up any data. If you decide to go to the actual knob, you have to blaze your own trail. As of two days ago, the footbridge leading to Cataloochee was out. There is a sign warning of that; be careful crossing creeks. Anyway, that trail is easy to find; just look for signs. Check out the bulletin board for lists of the types of birds and butterflies that you can see there. I saw (possibly) a Cloudless skipper. It was fluorescent yellow! My first. To get down to the restored Ferguson cabin, just leave via the "grass carpet" trail. Make an obvious right and hitch your horse, or kids. This right will lead you to the cabin. The Fergusons were the first farmers to have an elevated farm. Their apples are still there. Do not pick anything. Do not get in the boar trap. Do not get near bears. Do not bother the cow spirits. Call to make sure horses are indeed still allowed. Bears and boars can hurt you. We leave all snacks in the car. You never know. Call the general number to see if bear activity is intense before going to this park. Middle school and up teachers, call this number to schedule a visit: 828-926-6251. This park welcomes wimpy and tough hikers mid-March through November. Call if you have a desire to hike in the deep winter. Remember to check out the Purchase Knob WebCam online for weather and views. To get to this park, take Exit 20, stay on 276 South for five miles. Get on Hemphill Road and stay on Hemphill Road for four miles. This review is dedicated to my daughter Sophie, a quick, beautiful trailblazer.

I was trying to figure out a place to catch a sunset and wandered by this visitor center. It should…read morebe noted that at this altitude, visitor center does not imply running water, and the building is closed well before the sun sets. There is a parking and picnic area, a short trail up to the peak of the mountain that connects to other trails, and ample opportunity to catch a view. I was surprised at the prevalence of wildlife. I'm told the grass was tick-heavy so I avoided it as a frequent tick-borne illness sufferer. Wandering up a bit of trail yielded a snake and a population of spitbugs colonizing the local plants. The views in this area are uninterrupted over a wide area of wilderness, and weather-permitting, provide a fantastic experience. This is past the peak visitation areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but it's well worth it to keep driving until you get here.

What a gorgeous place to see the blue ridge mountains! Right off the blue ridge parkway, which is…read morebeautiful itself, you can drive into the parking lot to Waterrock trail. To be honest, just driving into the parking lot is worth it. Beautiful views, some picnic tables some bathrooms and a visitor center with a few gifts are there to enjoy. For those that are up for it there is a trail up to a point. The point has great views and we enjoyed it, but it is pretty steep uphill.